Lakers’ Title Hopes Still Strong

• March
• 5

Only Lebron’s Cleveland Cavilers have a better record than the LA Lakers so far this season, but with the injury to Shaq the Lakers are the best team in basketball. The Cavs’ lack of inside presence kept them from the NBA finals last year prompting them to sign Shaquille O’Neal in the off season. Cleveland expects to get Shaq back in 8 weeks, but unless the 37-year-old is playing 100% they will have a tough time should they meet the Lakers in the finals. The Lakers won the NBA Title convincingly last season and only got stronger adding Ron Artest to the starting lineup. Kobe Bryant is rounding into peak form as a player at the age of 31 and has all the tools around him to get his fifth NBA Championship. Fans in LA should book their Lakers playoffs ticket, because they’re isn’t a team in the West that can compare with the Lakers this season.

Americans Through To the Gold Medal Game

• February
• 26

The United States bought themselves a ticket to Gold Medal game on Friday pummeling Finland 6-1. The Americans scored all six of their goals in the first period with Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane scoring twice. Finland’s goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was helpless to the American attack led by Kane, Matt Kessler, Ryan Malone, and Paul Stastny. The winner of the Canada/Slovakia semi-final will face the U.S. in the gold medal game. The Canadians will be expected to easily defeat Slovakia setting up what would be a momentous finals between the two North American countries. Canada went into the national mourning after getting beat 5-3 by the Americans last Sunday, but it will be a pretty daunting task for the U.S. to take out the Winter Olympics host nation for a second time in the tournament. Should Canada win their semi-final match up, Sunday’s gold medal game could be biggest hockey game in United States’ history since the Miracle On Ice in 1980.

Israeli Shahar Peer Shines in Dubai

• February
• 19

A year ago Shahar Peer’s visa was denied when she tried to enter the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Tennis Championships, but made it into the country in 2010 and all the way to semi-finals. Peer fell to Venus Williams 6-1, 6-4 becoming the first Israeli woman to compete in an athletic event in Dubai. Peer was given extra security measures during her stay and Dubai and spoke kind words of the place after her match with Williams, “Everyone treated me well here, I have become friends with the people of Dubai”. Peer is ranked #22 in the world and looks to be one of the most promising young female tennis players in the world. Peer has made it to the quarterfinals at the US Open and Australian Open in years past. Look for a chance to see Peer play live at tennis tournament near you by ordering a pair of professional tennis tickets.

Jozy Altidore Could Be the Key to US World Cup

• February
• 12

With the World Cup in South Africa little more than four months away, young American Jozy Altidore is earning a name for himself in the world’s best soccer league. Altidore made the move last August to Yorkshire side Hull City after being bought by Spanish club Villarreal for a MLS record breaking $10 million from the New York Red Bulls. In his first game for the Tigers, Altidore helped set up a goal for teammate Kamel Ghilas the first time he touched the ball in 1-0 victory over Bolton.

The next few months proved difficult for Altidore as Hull City got off to a terrible start. The club was only in its second year in the top tier league in English football and was looking like they would finish the year in one of the regulation spots if they didn’t turn it around soon. Altidore was disciplined by his manager Phil Brown for showing up late before a game and then writing about it on his Twitter page.

The 20-year-old acknowledged his mistakes and kept his nose to grind stone and earned his way back into the team.  In January, the Haitian earthquake struck and Altidore was given compassionate leave from the team as his family struggled to confirm if relatives survived the tragedy. Thankfully, all the members of Altdore’s family were eventually accounted for and he returned to Hull City at the end of the month.

A new spirit seemed to fill the forward as in his first start back from leave he played a tremendous game setting up striking partner Jan Veenegoor of Hesselink for the opening goal and drawing a penalty for Hull City’s second. Phil Brown was criticized in the media for subbing off Altidore in the 68th minute as the Tigers seemed to lose their bite once the US Men’s National Team star exited the game.

The Livingston, New Jersey native then put in a stellar performance against league leaders Chelsea, troubling the Blues defense all game drawing two yellow cards and setting up the corner kick that resulted in a Hull goal. The game ended in 1-1 tie earning Hull City a crucial point from one of the best team’s in the Premiership. It seemed Altidore had done everything on the field except score a goal for the Tigers when he netted for the first team in English Premier League play burying a 31st minute shot past Manchester City keeper Shay Given. Honoring his parents homeland of Haiti, the American dedicated his first EPL goal to the country of Haiti.

Altidore will most likely be starting for the United States on June 12th in South Africa when the Americans play their first game of the World Cup against England. The young professional looks to have found his feet in England and shouldn’t be intimidated when he takes the field against England’s Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard considering he played against all of them before. Altidore has the physical tools to become an elite goal scorer in the world and has made great strides in the last year. Don’t be surprised if Jozy Altidore turns out to be one of the breakout stars of this summer’s World Cup.

Drew Brees: New Orleans Legend in the Making

• February
• 5

Drew Brees is quickly becoming what Brett Farve was to Green Bay down in New Orleans: a legend. The 31-year-old quarterback has lead New Orleans’ beloved Saints to their first Super Bowl in the team’s history. It wasn’t just the fact that he’s a great quarterback, but because of the type of person he is on and off the field. Many have made the allusion to Brees coming to New Orleans after the city was starting to recover from Hurricane Katrina at when he was trying relaunch his career. The former San Diego Charger had recovered from a career-threatening shoulder injury and it was unclear if he could recapture his form. However, Brees flourished in the Big Easy becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the league running head coach Sean Payton’s high flying offense. Off the field Brees has given his heart to the city of New Orleans devoting time to raising money for charity. He’s donated $2 million to academic facilities at his alma-mater Purdue, his foundation has raised more than $4.6 million to fund cancer research, rebuild athletic fields in New Orleans, and support day-care centers around the city. Saints fans have become so enamored with the star they’re even calling him “Breesus”. Drew Brees will be up against another legend-in-the-making Peyton Manning, but he’ll have everyone back in the Big Easy singing his praises for years to come no matter what happens on Sunday.

Kurt Warner Hangs it Up

• January
• 29

After 12 years in the NFL Kurt Warner has decided to retire from football. The announcement came Friday out of Tempe, Arizona that the 38-year-old quarterback will not complete the second year of the two year contract he signed with the Cardinals prior to the 2009 season. Warner led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 1999 throwing for 414 yards and winning the Super Bowl MVP award.

The unlikely star out of Burlington, Iowa only started his senior year of college at Northern Iowa University where he earned the Gateway Conference Offensive Player of the Year award. After getting cut from the Green Bay Packers, who had another quarterback by the name of Brett Farve on roster, Warner returned to Cedar Rapids to work a minimum wage job stocking shelves at a grocery store.

The Arena league’s Iowa Barnstormers came calling and Warner led them to two Arena Bowl appearances. After a year in NFL Europe, Warner was signed by the St. Louis Rams. In 1999 starting quarterback Trent Green tore his ACL in the pre-season thrusting Warner into the Rams’ starting role. In what has to be one of the most unexpected occurrences in NFL history, Warner led the Rams to a NFL Championship with one of the finest seasons any NFL quarterback has ever had. The Rams made it back to the Super Bowl in 2001, but Adam Vinatieri kicked a game winning field goal to give the New England Patriots the championship. Warner had a number of other good years in St. Louis, but mediocre play and injuries eventually saw him lose the starting job to Marc Bulger.

The New York Giants signed Warner in 2004 as a free agent and the veteran had the Giants off to a 5-2 start before he was supplanted by draft pick Eli Manning. Some labeled Warner washed up as he made his way to Arizona the next year. The Cardinals drafted Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart in 2006 expecting the USC star to quickly take over the quarterbacking reigns, but Warner defied the odds again winning the starting job. In 2008 Warner had a Pro Bowl season earning the Cardinals their first division title since 1975 and first Super Bowl appearance in the team’s history. The Pittsburgh Steelers prevailed despite Warner throwing for 377 yards. This year the Cardinals made another run into the playoffs until they met up with the New Orleans Saints who pummeled Warner’s team 45-14.

The story of Kurt Warner is one of the best underdog stories of all-time in sports. He was a guy who came out of nowhere and became the best quarterback in the NFL. It will be debated in the years to come if Warner deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame, but I’d put him in Canton if I had a vote. Kurt Warner is a great reminder of what can be born out hard work and undying resolve.

Kentucky’s John Wall: NCAA Men’s B-Ball’s Biggest Star?

• January
• 22

John Wall’s first game in college basketball may have been a sign of things to come when the 2009 Rivals.com #1 prospect scored 19 points and hit the game winning shot for the Kentucky Wildcats in their victory over Miami University. Since his debut Wall has led the undefeated Wildcats to victories over UConn, Florida, North Carolina, and Louisville with his ability to take command of a game with his blinding quickness getting to the basket.

Often compared to Bulls guard Derek Rose, the point guard will likely be the #1 pick in next season’s NBA Draft. The only real knock on Wall is his inconsistent outside shooting, but many writers are already dubbing the 19-year-old as the NCAA’s Player of the Year.Kentucky will depend on John Wall to take them deep into the NCAA Tournament, but they will have to contend with the likes of Texas, Kansas, and Duke.

Wall is not the only big name in the NCAA as Texas’ Damion Jones and Ohio State’s Evan Turner Jr. will also likely be starring in this season’s NCAA Tournament. NCAA’s rules keeping players like Wall who could probably be playing in NBA right out of high school whether you like it or not makes college basketball more entertaining. Who knows how much longer the rule will be in place so I’d book your March Madness tickets while you can still see players like Wall in the tournament. We shall see how basketball’s biggest name finishes the season and how big of a show he puts on come March. For now all we can do is expect big things from Mr. John Wall.

Jets Bringing New Swagger to Indianapolis

• January
• 21

Despite being one of the most historic professional football franchises, the New York Jets have never won a conference championship in the modern era of the NFL. There have been nine different U.S. presidents in office since ‘Broadway” Joe Namath led the Jets to their one and only Super Bowl in 1968. Fans of the Green and White have long been suffering supporting Jets teams who have found different ways to break their hearts over the years. Nevertheless, during last Sunday’s 17-14 win over the Chargers in San Diego the J-E-T-S looked nothing like the lovable losers of old. As Elisabeth Merrill points out in her ESPN.com article a lot of the credit in turning the Jets’ defeatist attitude around is owed to first year coach Rex Ryan. Ryan has instilled a confidence in the Jets allowing them to pull two surprising playoff victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers. The Jets will have their hands full with Payton Manning and the high flying Indianapolis Colts, but expect New York to go out there believing they can pull off the upset. If the Jets have proved anything in the last few weeks it’s that they excel at dispelling old stereotypes.

Winter Olympics

• January
• 15

If you love this time of year, you might want to consider seeing one of the biggest events of the season. It’s almost time for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. These Olympics will feature all of your favorite events. If you’re a luge fan, you’ll get to see that. Bobsledding, they have lots of that. Perhaps the most famous event is figure skating, where you might get to see the Hughs sisters or Cohen back in action for the women’s side. And the men’s skater from Russia are always particularly exciting. Or maybe you like skiing, or hockey. Or speed skating. There are so many different events and I can’t give you all the details about all of them. But you can find tickets to the Winter Olympics and see it all for yourself soon!

Wild Wild Card Game

• January
• 11

The NFC wasn’t expected to give us too much in the way of excitement this playoff season. Yes, the potential faceoff of Drew Brees and Brett Favre might be a big game. But who would have expected that the Arizona vs Green Bay game would be as good as it was. What was supposed to be an exciting game, but nothing really special, turned into a huge shootout with the most points scored in a playoff game ever. A 51-45 overtime win for Kurt Warner and the Cardinals proved to be an amazing boon. It looked bad at the start of overtime, when the Packers won the coin toss. But then a possible sack turned into a fumble for Aaron Rodgers, and the ball was taken for 20 yards or so for the winning touchdown. The desert stadium erupted like crazy when that happened. Rodgers was angry, but he had an amazing season and looks like he’ll head to some great places in the next few years! Congrats to Warner and the Cards!